Phonograph



Dec. 26, 1939. H. F. M. GRKAMANN PHONOGRAPH Filed Oct. 29, 1937 2 Sheets-Sl'leec'lb CONTINUED To man ugek Nunes@ MLM f TORNEY Dec. 26, 1939. H. F. M. GRAMANN PHONOGRAPH Filed oct. 29, 1937 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR MQW ToRNEY Patented Dec. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHONOGRAPH Application October 29, 1937, Serial No. 171,653

5 Claims.

This invention relates to phonographs, and more particularly to phonographs of the type adapted for the recordation of dictation or the like.

It is well known that in the use of such phonographs there is frequent necessity for the effective annotation of the recordi. e., the identification or indication of points whereat errors in the recorded matter have been made and/or whereat those errors have been corrected, points whereat individual sequences of dictation (letters or the like) begin and end, etc. It has been common practise to provide, for use with each record, an individual index slipi. e., a piece of paper or other suitable material-which may be held in some predetermined relationship to the record during recordation on the latter and on which these annotations for that record may be made. This slip may be 'suitably employed and referred to in later transcription fro-m the record.

It is an object of my invention to provide im. proved means, characterized by simplicity of use and uniformity of operation, for making the' annotations on the index slip held in the phonograph.

It is another objecty to provide improved arrangements of the index slip holder and annotation-making means in such a machine.

It is another object to provide improved means for making the annotations by perforating or punching the so-held index slip, characterized by uniformity of operation and perfection of action over long periods of use.

It is another object to provide improved such means which locally clamp the index slip at the region of punching.

It is another object to provide an improved punch assembly for operation upon a so-held index slip, characterized both by excellence of operation and ease of assembly.

It is another object `to provide an improved and simplified arrangement for the disposal of the punchings from the index slip in a machine of the character described.

It is another object to provide an improved form of index slip for use With punching means in a phonograph, characterized at once by ruggredness and by ease of perforation by those means. I

It is another object to provide improved means for retaining the slip in proper place in the phonograph, characterized both by proper ease of insertion and removal of the slip and by effectiveness of holding.

Other and allied objects Will more fully appear from the following description and the appended claims.

In the description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is avertical cross-sectional View of a phonograph wherein my invention has been embodied in one form, taken along a front-andback plane very near the right-hand end of the machine so that most portions appear in elevation;

Figure 2 is a plan View of the index slip holder, with a slip held therein, and of the annotationmaking means, a small portion Vof the latter appearing in section;

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational View of the annotation-making means, certain exterior portions being broken away for the better illustration of interior portions;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3';

vFigure 5 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 5 5 of Figure 2, illustrating particu- .larly the slip-retaining means; Y

Figure 6 is a view generally similar to Figure 3 but illustrating a modied form of annotationmaking means according to my invention;V

Figure '7 is a view generally similar to Figure 2, but illustrating that modified form of'annotation-making means;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional vievv taken along.- the line 8 8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line llJ--Ill of Figure 9; and y Figure l1 is a cross-sectional view taken alon the line ll-ll of Figure 9.

In Figure 1 appear the principal portions of a phonograph P. 'Ihese may include a base plate l having a central standard 2 andend standards, one of which latter appears as 3. Rotat- `ably journalled in the standard 2 is a cylindrical mandrel 4, onto which may be removably mounted a cylindrical record R (the term record ,being used in a broad sense to include a blank before the lrecordation of matter thereon) The mandrel 4 and any record mounted thereon. is adapted to be rotated in a clockwise direction by a motor (not shown), the rotation being controlled asr by an electrically actuated clutch mechanism (not shown). A carriage 5, slidably supported on guide rods 6 and l which in turn may be supported by the end standards, is caused to move longitudinally with respect to the record along those rods as the mandrel is rotated; such carriage movement is effected by a feeding mechanism comprising a feed screw 8 journalled in the end standards, and a feed nut 3 carried by an arm ID secured to the carriage, the feed screw being rotarily driven by the mandrel rotation through a gear train I I schematically illustrated.

In the forward portion of the carriage 5 is carried the sound box I2, provided with the recording stylus I3, and if desired with a reproducing stylus as well (not shown). A control lever fractionally shown as I 4 may be provided at the top of the carriage, rockable forward and backward from a neutral position to selectively engage either the recording stylus I3 or the reproducing stylus with the record; when in neutral position it may disengage the feed nut 9 from the feed screw 8, to then stop the carriage movement. A neck I 5 may extend upwardly from the sound box, forming a means, connectable with a speaking tube (not shown), for the conveyance of sound to'and from the sound box.

Parallel with the path of the carriage 5, and preferably in front of and below that path, is mounted a holder 20 for an index slip S; this holder may comprise a base 2| `having upwardly folded-over flanges 22 and 23 respectively along its front and back edges-a slip S being inserted therein by longitudinally sliding it under those flanges. The holder may be inclinedly disposed so that the top surface of a slip S held therein will face somewhat forwardly as well as upwardly. An index slip holder as so described will be recognized as known. I prefer, however, to support the same in a particular manner: that is, so as to leave free of support connection the rear edge and both the top and bottom of the holder for a substantial width forwardly from that rear edge, for substantially the full length of they holder. This I do as by securing a supporting plate 24 (e. g., by a flange 24 thereon) to the bottom of the holder base 2| along a line near the front of the latter; the plate 24 may extend rearwardly and downwardly from flange 24" to terminate in another flange 24, which latter may be secured to an up-standing strip 25 in turn secured to the base I. The plate 24 may if desired have the up-turned ends 24a and 24h secured to the bottom of holder base 2| along or near the ends of the latter; these ends, however, will of course not interrupt the freedom of support connection particularly mentioned above. The right-hand end of the holder base 2|, from which end a slip S is slipped into placein the holder, may be folded downwardly to form the end flange 2| b.

For making the annotations on a slip S held in the holder 20, I punch holes-preferably in the form of transverse narrow slits such as T and 'IW-through the slip. For doing this I employ a punch assembly 30 secured to the carriage 5 as by bracket 29 down-hanging from the latter. This assembly may comprise punch means 32 and cooperating die means 40, connected together in back of the rear edge of holder 2U, extending forwardly respectively above and below the holder and slip held'therein, and of course moved longitudinally of the holder and slip in accordance with the longitudinal travel of the carriage relative to a record R on mandrel 4. In the illustration and description the punch means have been made to include two punches, respectively arranged for travel` over two distinct paths such as S and S on a slip S, annotations in which two paths may have respectively different signicances-for example, those in the rear path S indicating length of dictation sequences and those in the front path S indicating points of error and/or correction-but it will be understood that no unexpressed limitation to any particular number of punches or significance of annotations is intended. For permitting the cooperation of the punch means and die means, the holder base 2| is longitudinally apertured under the paths S and S"-as indicated by the apertures 2| and 2| in Figure 3-so that not v only is the top surface of a slip S held in the holder immediately exposed to the punch means, but also the bottom surface of the slip under the punch is immediately exposed to the die means. The portion 2|c of the holder base 2| between the longitudinal apertures 2| and 2| may be cross-sectionally curved or dished downwardly, as shown in Figure 3, for longitudinal reinforcing purposes.

While no unexpressed limitation thereto is intended, I prefer the slit formation of the perforations in the slip S (particularly when the slit is narrow and is directed toward the record) because of its resemblance, when the slip in later use is backed by a surface of contrasting color, to linear marks such as have been made on index slips as annotations by conventional annotating structures.

As illustrated in the earlier figures of the drawings, I may conveniently employ, as a common part of both the punch means 32 and the die means 45, a forward-and-backward extending, vertical plate 3|. This may have a foldedover rear lug portion 28 secured, and forming the means for securing the entire punch assembly 30, to the carriage bracket 25. The plate 3| may further be provided with the generally horizontal slot 3|a extending rearwardly from its front to near its rear edge, dividing it into upper and lower portions which extend forwardly ref spectively above and below the holder 2li to approximately the front edge of the front longitudinal aperture 2|" therein-or, from the reverse point of view, the holder 2li becomes disposed within the slot 3Ia. While the bottom edge of the upper portion of plate 3| may be in small but appreciable spaced relationship to the top of a slip S held in holder 23, it is desirable that the top edge of the lower portion of plate 3| have extensions passing upwardly into the longitudinal apertures 2| and 2| in holder base 2| and almost into contact with the bottom of the held slip S. Such extensions, indicated as 3| and 3|, are provided by making the slot 3| a, appropriately narrow and by locally enlarging it-e. g., between 3|' and 3| by the downward hemispherical notch 3|c, and behind 3I by a hole 3|b (in which the slot 3| may terminate) which extends not only downwardly but also upwardly from the slot to provide clearance about the rear holder flange 23.

A housing 33 for the punches is formed by the upper portion of plate 3| together with a plate 34; a surface of the latter plate is provided with the generally vertical slots 34' and 34|, and then secured against the plate 3| as by screws 34a-the slots 34 and 34 thus becoming punchways for the punches next described, and being of course respectively disposed above the paths S and S.

The punches are shown as 35 and 35". Each punch may comprise a rectangularly cross-sectioned piece of metal-preferably of hardened steel--of thickness and width tting slidably within the respective punch-way 34' or 34; preferably, however, the Width of each punch will be slightly reduced in its very bottom portion, as illustrated. The punches are respectively provided with thecentral, much-elongated holes 36 and 36; to retain the punches in the housing 33 screws 36a.' and 36a", secured between Aplates 3| and 34, may pass through these respective holes. On the tops of the punches, which may extend well above the housing 33, are respectively secured the buttons 37 and 31; and encircling the punches, between those buttons and the top of the housing 33, are the respective expansion springs 38 and 38". These springs of course bias each punch to upward movement, which move-- ward positions of the punches, these caps may extend downwardly to just below the top of the housing 33; to permit this, and to permit downward movement from those positions for punch operation, the caps are provided with respective pairs of slots 39a.' and 39aextending upwardly from their bottom edges.

The die means 4D in the structure of the earlier gures is formed by the lower portion of plate 3|, together with a plate 4| elevationally similar to that lower plate portion. vA surface of the plate 4| is provided with the generally vertical slots 4 and 4 I which may be of similar thickness and width to the slots or punch-ways y31| and 34" abovementioned, and then secured as by screws 42 against the lower portion of plate such that the holes which they form become respectively aligned with the punch-ways 34 and 34".

The entire punch assembly .30 will of course travel along a slip S held in the holder 2|), normally without contact with that slip or holder, in accordance with the carriage travel relative to the record. At any point in the travel at which it is desired to make an annotation, the travel will be stopped, and the appropriate one of the punch buttons 3l' and 3l"l will be depressed. This will move the `associated punch downwardly, against its bias, so that its lower extremity will contact the slip S, and will tend to force that strip downwardly into the holder base aperture 2l or 2l", as the case may be. That slip movement, however, is almost immediately stopped by slip impingement against the top of the die means i0, and further pressure on the punch button will force the punch through the slipthe die means insuring definiteness of action, as

well as clean and sharp edges of the slit punched in the slip, in view of the similar thickness of the die means holes 4| and 4| to, and their respective alignment with, the punch-ways thereabove.

I have found that the most `desirable formation for the lower extremity of each punch is an elevationally double-pointed one, this insuring exceptionally clean and sharp slit ends. Still further, I have found it desirable that .the two shorter points 35h and 35h".

points in the case -of each punch be of slightly unequal length, so rthat one .point comes into contact with and at least tends to begin piercing a slip S before the other, this insuring the greatest ease of operation of the punch and being otherwise desirable. As an embodiment of such formation I have shown the lower extremities,v or `cutting ends of the punches, as elevationally of an inverted V-shape--having the respective longer points 35a yand 35a" and the respective It will of course be understood that eachof these four, while elevationally a point, comprises a linear cutting edge of length equal to the thicknessfof the punch, as appears from 35a in Figure 4.

There is also desirable a `slight 4progressive widening of the lower portion of `each punch toward its points 3.5a-35b or 35a-35b. I have illustrated in Figure 3 by the downwardly slightlyydiverging edges 35e and 35o" in these portionsof the respective punches; it is of course permitted without widening of the punch-ways 34' and 34 in view of the slight general width .reduction of these punch portions, abovementioned, An advantage of this configura-tion is This the avoidance of frictional contact of the edges I e' and 35o with the ends of a slit in process of being punched in the slip, after the initial penetration of the punch points.

`For the maximum facilitation of the punching.

operation, while preserving a desirable stiffness v or ruggedness of each slip S, I have found advantageous the provision, in one or the other face of each slip, of longitudinal grooves vwhich Will respectively lie above the holder base apertures,

each being formed by removing a .portion of the,

thickness ofthe slip material; these `grooves have been illustrated, vas I prefer, as formed in the top surface of the slip, but no unexpressed limitation to that surface is intended.

'Ihe punchings, or small pieces removed from'. f

the slip S by the action of the punches, williall ldownwardly through the die means holes Allv and 4|. For purposes of their disposal Iprovide, beneath both the holder 2li and the path of travel of the die means lili, means which diverts the punchings into a receptacle 26 provided in well known manner underneath the mandrel l to receive the cuttings removed from the record R by the reco-rding stylus i3 in its recording vaction. This diverting means may be the plate 2d abovementioned as supporting the holder 2i?, that trated as a resiliently mounted cam 54 `arranged to offer very slight resistance .to the `insertion of a slip into its place in the holder., but materially greater resistance to its removalso that the slip will not be disturbed excepting by a ydeliberate removing operation. A mounting for this means may be provided at the left-hand extremity of the holder 2li, by an .extension 5| of the holder base `2 I, inclinedly folded back to extend upwardly and rightwardly from that extremity, by vertical lugs 52 folded over from the extension ,5| at its fro-nt j so and back edge to extend rightwardly therefrom, and by a horizontal cross-pin 53 secured to and extending between those lugs. The cam means 54 may be of cylindrical form, provided with an offset longitudinal hole 54a nearest one surface portion of the cylinder, and with a longitudinal slot 54h extending tangentially from the hole to a materially removed surface portion. 'I'he hole 54a surrounds the cross-pin 53, but with a material spacing therefrom, within which spacing a spiral spring 55 is coiled about the cross-pin. One end 55 of the spring is retained in the slot 5417, while the other end 55 is extended adjacent one of the lugs 52 to be retained in the angle between the holder base 2| and the extension 5l.

The spring 55 is tensioned to urge the cam 54 to counter-clockwise rotation as shown in Figure but the cam is disposed with its major portion to the left of the cross-pin 53, and that crosspin is so near the holder base 2| that such cam rotation is limited by impingement of its surface against that base. In Figure 5 a slip S is shown approaching the cam in the process of the slip insertion. As it is pushed still further leftwardly it will impinge against the cam and pass under it, simply causing a slight clockwise rotation of the cam against the bias of the latter. In any attempt to draw the slip rightwardly for removal from the holder, however, the friction of the surface of the slip S against the cam surface will unite with the cam bias to urge counter-clockwise cam rotation, tending to lock the slip against such rightward movement. The bias of the cam by spring 55 may of course be made light enough so that the slip will slide under the cam in spite of this locking tendency, upon a reasonably firm, deliberate pull on the slip-although if desired the cam 54 may itself be manipulated in aid of the unlocking of the slip.

Figures 6 et seq. of the drawings illustrate an embodiment of my invention modified in respect of the punch assembly, which in these figures is broadly designated by the numeral 60. Most importantly the modification comprises the inclusion with each punch of a respective presser-foot, which is brought down into contact with a slip S in advance of the punch and locally clamps the slip during the actual punching operation; it also clamps the slip during the ensuing retraction of the punch from out of the slit which it has made, thereby suppressing any possible tendency of the slip to ride upwardly with the punch during that retraction.

In this embodiment the housing for the punch means is a metallic block 63 having its rear extremity secured to the carriage bracket 29, and extending therefrom forwardly above the holder 20 as did the housing 33 of earlier figures, excepting that its bottom may bei somewhat further spaced above the holder. In the top of this block E3, and extending therefrom almost through the block, are provided the relatively large circular holes 64a and 64a, respectively above the longitudinal apertures 2| and 2| in the holder base 2|. In the centers of the bottoms of these holes there are cut through to the bottom of the block 63 the respective rectangular punch-ways 64 and 64". In the holes 64a' and 64a" there will be seen the respective cylinders 61 and 6l, which may be surmounted by the respective caps 59 and 69". Secured in and extending downwardly from the bottoms of these cylinders 61 and 6l, and passing through the punch-ways 64 and 64", will be seen the respective punches 55' and 65"; these maybe similar, in respect of their lower or cutting extremities, to the punches 35 and 35 of earlier figures and therefore need not here be described in detail. Respectively associated with the punches 65 and 65", and normally held against the bottom of the block 63, are the presser-feet 56 and 56, centrally provided with the respective rectangular apertures 66a' and 66a very slightly larger vthan necessary to pass the respective punches. The interrelationship of the several components just referred to may be more precisely described with reference to Figures 9, 1`0 and 11, illustrating the same for the rear one of the punches 65-it being understood that the assembly for the other or forward punch 65" will be entirely analogous.

The cylinder 61 is provided with two longitudinal holes 61a' on either side of its center, extending from its top extremity almost to its bottom extremity; and from the bottoms of these holes to that bottom cylinder extremity there extend the respective smaller holes 61h. In the bottom of the hole 54a' in the block 63, on either side of the punch-way 64' and centered below the cylinder holes S'lb', are provided holes 64b. Screws 53', having their heads disposed within the cylinder holes 61a', pass through the cylinder holes G'lb and through the holes 64' in block 63, and terminate in threaded engagement with the presser-foot 65 .on either side of its central aperture 56a abovementioned. A coiled expansion spring 63 surrounds the screws 58 and the punch 55 between the bottom of the cylinder 61 and the bottom of hole 54a in block 63, urging the cylinder to upward movement; this movement is of course limited by the screws 58' and the impingement .of the presser-foot 66' against the bottom of the block E3. There are also provided two further springs 59', respectively surrounding the screws 58 between the bottom of the cylinder 6l' and the top of the presser-foot 66'; these bias the presser-foot 66 to the greatest separation from the cylinder 6l permitted by the screws 58'. Accordingly when the punch is operated by downward pressure on the cap 69 and cylinder 6l', the presser-foot will move downwardly into contact with the top of the slip S in the holder; and only after this contact has been effected, and while it is being maintained and the slip thus locally clamped, will the punch 65' be projected downwardly out of the presser-foot aperture 65a to pierce the slip.

Die means 1U, analogous to the die means 4|) of earlier figures, are provided in the punch assembly Gl) of Figures 6 et seq. by a bar 6|, joined at its rear extremity to the rear extremity of block 63 as by the connecting portion 63a, and extending forwardly underneath the holder S with a similar elevational contour and substantially similar position to that of the lower portion of plate 3| of earlier gures; and by a plate similar to the plate 4| of earlier iig-ures, held to the bar 6| as by screws 12. The surface of plate secured against 6| will of course be provided with slots 1| and 1| respectively similar to 4| and 4| of earlier figures, which slots will form die holes respectively aligned with the punch-ways G4 and 64".

If there were employed in the structure of Figures 6 et seq. even the slight spacing of the die means below the bottom of a slip S held in holder 20 which was shown in the earlier figures, the action of the presser-foot would be a clamping of the slip against the holder only and not a clamping thereof against the die means. It may, however, be desirable that the action .of the presserfoot be extended to comprise the latter of these clampings; and I have accordingly illustrated the die means in Figure 6 as extending up through the holder base apertures 2| and 2|" into full contact with the bottom of a held slip S. This will of course tend to cause a light longitudinal rubbing of the bottom of the slip by the die means as the entire punch assembly travels rightwardly along the slip; this, however, has in no way been found objectionable, particularly when positive slip retaining means such as 50 are employed.

While I have disclosed my invention in terms of specic embodiments thereof, I do not intend that its broader aspects be unnecessarily limited by virtue of the details of those embodiments; accordingly in many of the appended claims I undertake to express the scope of the invention broadly, subject however to such proper limitations as the state of the art may impose.

I claim:

l. In apparatus of the character described including a carriage: the combination of a holder for an index slip, said carriage and holder being arranged for relative movement, and said holder comprising a slip-supporting base provided with a narrow aperture extending parallel with the path of said movement; and a punch assembly secured to said carriage for relative movement of said assembly and said holder, and including a die extending into said aperture and at least substantially into contact with the bottom of a slip held in said holder.

2. In apparatus of the character described including a. carriage: the combination oi an apertured holder for an index slip, said carriage and holder being arranged for relative movement; a plate secured to said carriage and having a plane substantially normal to the path of said movement, said plate being provided with a slot surrounding said holder; punch means assembled to` said plate on one side of said slot; and a member secured to said plate on the other side of said slot and forming with said plate a die for said punch means.

3. In apparatus of the character described including a carriage: the combination of an apertured holder for an index slip, said carriage and holder being arranged for relative movement; a plate secured to said carriage and having a plane substantially normal to the path of said movement, said plate being provided with a substantially horizontal slot surrounding saidk holder; a second plate having a 'surface provided with a substantially vertical slot ,and secured against said rst plate on one side of said slot therein to form a punch-way; a punch in said punch-way.; and cooperating die meansv associated with said first plate on the other side of said slot therein.

4. In apparatus of the character described including a carriage: the combination of a punch assembly carried by the carriage and having normally separated cooperating parts; and a holder ,for an index slip, said carriage and holder being arranged for relative movement, and said holder being interposed between said parts, being provided with slots parallel with the path of said movement'lthrough which said punch assemblyr parts are operable, and comprising solid slip-supporting portions between and surrounding said slots.

5. In apparatus of the character described including a carriage: the combination oi an apertured holder for an index slip, said carriage and holder being arranged for relative movement; a

plate secured to said carriage and having a plane substantially normal -to the path of said movement, said plate being provided with a substantially horizontal slot surrounding said holder; a

second plate having a surface secured against a surface of said rst plate on one side of said slot, at least one of said surfaces being provided with a substantially vertical slot forming a punchway; a punch in said punch-way; and cooperating die means associated with said first plate on the other side of said substantially horizontal slot.

HEINRICH F. MAX GRAMANN. 

